Occasionally while writing, researching, and hunting bourbon throughout the year, I come across bottles with amazing reviews and the FOMO becomes very real. Unfortunately, and more often than not, those bottles stay elusive as many of them either do not make it to Northern Colorado or if I find the bottle it is marked up to secondary cost; which I refuse to pay. However, every once in a while the relationships you build with local stores become very important and they decide to hold a bottle aside for you. The moral of the story, follow the golden rule; do unto others as you would have done unto yourself. From the James B. Beam Distillery, today’s review is of Knob Creek 18-Year-Old.

From the Knob Creek Website: This limited-edition release celebrates the time, effort, and commitment to our never-ending pursuit of craft. Aged twice as long as our flagship bourbon, Knob Creek 18-Year-Old owes its rich copper color and deep notes of caramelized oak to its extensive aging in our Kentucky rack houses.

Since purchasing this bottle, we have only seen it in one other location in NoCo; it is still there and priced over double the MSRP. Overall, this is by far my favorite Knob Creek product to date, and will probably be my Bourbon of the Year! I will say, that if you are not a fan of oak, this might not be a bottle for you. This is an amazing oak-forward bourbon well balanced by sweet flavors ranging from your typical vanilla to an amazing toasted creme brûlée. I thought Knob Creek 15-Year-Old was an amazing bottle, but dang, this is hands down so much better. I typically do not recommend this, but if you have a chance to purchase this bottle, even above MSRP, I will say it is well worth the price. If you are interested, please feel free to take a gander at my review of Knob Creek 15-Year-Old. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Very Oak Forward with Notes of Vanilla, Butterscotch, Chocolate, Hazelnut, Baking Spice, and Leather
• Palate: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Baking Spice, Oak, Cherry, Leather, and Toasted Creme Brûlée
• Finish: Medium to Long with Continuing Notes of Spice and Oak and the addition of Vanilla and Brown Sugar Ending
• 2023 MSRP: $159
• 2023 National Average: $255
• Proof: 100
• My Rating: Save It! (And I thought the Knob Creek 15 was amazing… Dang this is good!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman